On January 28th, the Shinnecock Environmental Department and Trustees Randy King and Donald Williams, Jr. met with Mr. Neil Patterson. Neil, a member of the Tuscarora Nation, works for the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, which is located on the SUNY Syracuse campus.

The program Neil works for is developing a cultural sensitivity training for the DEC and he came to get the thoughts, concerns, and input of the COT on the Shinnecock perspective. While here, he also provided information on some upcoming opportunities for the youth in the community to become more involved in their natural surroundings.

Following the meeting, Neil and the Environmental Dept. participated in traditional trade. Previously, they exchanged oysters for white corn that was then planted in the community garden. This time the intertribal trade includes moose meat, venison, 7 types of beans and venison jerky for Shinnecock oysters and clams.